New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-08-04
KENTUCKY GETTING LIGHT

Nasby, (which Is Postmaster explained
the situation at Confederate Cross Roads
in Kentucky" so thoroughly years ago that the
cause of Democratic losses in that State AZ
the recent election are easy to understand.
There were three or four hungry and thirsty
applicants for every Office. The President
could appoint only one. 1t was therefore a
painful necessity that he should offend sew
eral, with their friends, for every pc son ne
satisfied by an appointment. In the carly
days, when appointments wore slowly mace
Democratic sses were comparatively hight,
but Of late the decap tation of Republicans
has proceeded more swiftly. and the conse-
ouent disappOin tmcnt OF applicants has been
greater and the Democratic losses become
heavy.
II is curious how completely some Demo-
cratic journals misunderstood thc situation.
One paper says there was profound disgust
in Kentucky because there had not been more
Republicans removed which is absurd In view
of the rapid progress of reform by remov-
al. Another says tha5 thou ands OF Union
men. who have been voting the Democratic
ticket for years. are disgustoi because the
Confedelates get all the places. What did
these Union men expect, when they went over
to the party of rebellion? In the classic IAN
guage of Hosea Big low, "Whod expect to
see 'tater all on eend at bein' billed y
Another paper says that host oil outrageous
" bad appointments has caused disgust.
Human nature is queer; the mai who docs
not get place is apt to consider the selec-
ton of his rival very bad appointment. Tho
root of tho matter is that the more appoint
ments President Cleveland makes, in State
where there are many hungry seekers for every
place. the more active men he dsg SITS.
But have these men no regard for pr'n-
ciple ? Is 1t not narrow p rtisansh;p to sup
pose that Democrats care only for the spoils 70
Und ub tedly there are Democrats who used
TO care much for ceran public ends. Many
were honest and jealous Free Traders, but
thew have seen that Democratic leaders do
not dare to take a step in that direction, ana
have been told that their party cannot. with
out losing New-York, New-Jerscy Connect
cut and some Southern States WHAT have
they to gain by voting for their party, except
a share of the spoils On the other hand.
there are many Democrats who were formerly
Wings, especially In Ker lucky, Tennessee,
tho Virginas and North Carolina. These men
have distrusted anu fealei tle party which
they supported, though hoping aga nst hope
that its sense OF responsibility when In power
would stop its mischicvous agitation for free
trade But they now see tn Prs DEM and
Speaker Carlisle waving their frce-trade ban
ners. and brandishing the swords, and call
ing once more on ali trao Democrats to follow
them in another senselcss strus gle for tanh
reduction next winter. Is it strange that
these men are also disguStedP The more
sincerely they care for principle, the more
irresistibly they are forced toward the Re
publican party.
kentucky stands for sixty-four electoral
votes at the South. Changes not as great as
Democrats admit in Kentucky would transfer
Virginia, West Virginia, Tenr essce and North
Carol ma to the Repu lican column next year,
and whenever the Solid s nth breaNs ~ the
revolution in Kentucky will coml lctc itself.
The men who sincerely believed in protection
of home industry thirty years ago, and their
sons who have not forgotten their teachings,
have nearly reached the limit OF their serv-
itude to free-trade party. Added to these
arc the new men who have brOrght enter
prise, capital and labor to the new South.
When all these men begin to vote as they be-
lieve. the Solid South VIII be thing OF the
rast But a potent force in bringing about
that change is the disgust Of hungry Demo-
cratic p.acc-hunters. many OF whom ar" dis
gusted for every one who gets Office.